John Kramer, after a series of tragic events in his life, came to the conclusion that most people do not value their lives and will not be able to change this until they come face to face with death. John Kramer made various lethal mechanical devices called "traps" and placed unconscious victims in them. If the victim did not complete the task within the allotted time, an imminent death was inevitable. The process itself, John Kramer calls the "game" or "test", and the only way to stay alive is "play by the rules"